Connector assemblies for hybrid fiber/wire connections

ABSTRACT

A connector assembly for a hybrid cable includes: a housing, comprising a base; at least one discrete connector mounted in the base or at least one connector that is at least partially integrated in the base, configured to receive at least one fiber from the hybrid cable; and at least one electrical interface, configured to receive at least one wire from the hybrid cable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/318,333, filed Apr. 5, 2016, which is incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

Examples of fiber-based communications networks where hybrid fiber/wirecables are used to deliver data/power, respectively, are described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/490,988, U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/836,600, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/837,989,which are incorporated herein by reference. The hybrid fiber/wire cablesused in these fiber-based communications network include fiber for datacommunications and wire for power transmission.

In order to facilitate the transmission of both data and power using thehybrid fiber/wire cables, the hybrid fiber/wire cables are connected toend devices or interface devices of the fiber-based communicationsnetwork. For example, as discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/836,600, connections may be achieved through a cabling interface withseparate fiber and wire connectors, a dangle wherein the fibers aremechanically spliced, Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) cage-basedinterfaces, and/or a junction box internal or external to an end deviceor interface device.

SUMMARY

In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a connector assemblyfor a hybrid cable including: a housing, comprising a base; at least onediscrete connector mounted in the base, configured to receive at leastone fiber from the hybrid cable; and at least one electrical interface,configured to receive at least one wire from the hybrid cable.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a connectorassembly for a hybrid cable including: a housing, comprising a base; atleast one connector that is at least partially integrated in the base,configured to receive at least one fiber from the hybrid cable; and atleast one electrical interface, configured to receive at least one wirefrom the hybrid cable.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a connectorassembly for a hybrid cable including: a housing adapted to accept thehybrid cable, the housing comprising multiple pathways; wherein themultiple pathways include: a first pathway configured to receive atleast one fiber of the hybrid cable; and a second pathway configured toreceive at least one wire of the hybrid cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described in even greater detail belowbased on the exemplary figures. The invention is not limited to theexemplary embodiments. All features described and/or illustrated hereincan be used alone or combined in different combinations in embodimentsof the invention. The features and advantages of various embodiments ofthe present invention will become apparent by reading the followingdetailed description with reference to the attached drawings whichillustrate the following:

FIGS. 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating an exemplary LCconnector assembly utilizing discrete LC connectors.

FIGS. 2A-2B are schematic diagrams illustrating an exemplaryLC-compatible connector assembly utilizing integrated LC-compatibleconnectors.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating another exemplary LCconnector assembly utilizing discrete LC connectors.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating another exemplaryLC-compatible connector assembly utilizing integrated LC-compatibleconnectors.

FIGS. 4A-4D are schematic diagrams illustrating an exemplary SCconnector assembly utilizing a discrete SC connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Field installation of optical fiber can be a relatively complicated anddifficult task, typically requiring the involvement of a technician withthe appropriate experience and expertise.

Embodiments of the present invention, however, provide connectorassemblies that provide a convenient and effective manner of connectinga hybrid fiber/wire cable to various devices and components of afiber-based communication system (such as mid span power insertiondevices, end devices, and/or interface devices). Once hybrid fiber/wirecables are terminated using embodiments of the connector assembliesdiscussed herein, everyday users of a fiber-based communication systemare able to configure and rearrange hybrid fiber/wire connections in thefield without having to involve a specialized technician.

Further, features of the embodiments of the connector assembliesdiscussed herein provide various advantages with respect to protectingthe integrity of the optical fiber, safety with respect to powertransmission, cost, and ease of manufacture. Further, by utilizingexisting low-cost SFP-type infrastructure and existing standards,low-cost and reliable connections of hybrid fiber/wire cables can beachieved that conform with current multi-source agreements (MSA) andother standards.

FIGS. 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating an exemplary LCconnector assembly 100 utilizing discrete LC connectors. The LCconnector assembly 100 utilizes standard LC connectors for terminatingfibers of a hybrid fiber/wire cable and power sockets for terminatingwires of a hybrid fiber/wire cable.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating LC connector assembly 100with cover 102 in an assembled position relative to base 101. LCconnector assembly 100 further includes a strain relief rubber boot inthe neck of the connector assembly 103 that secures a hybrid fiber/wirecable to the connector assembly. The hybrid cable (not depicted)terminated by the LC connector assembly 100 extends out of the strainrelief rubber boot. LC connectors 104, which may be standard,commercially-available discrete LC connectors, protrude from the otherend of the LC connector assembly and provides an interface forLC-compatible device (e.g., a device having dual LC connector sockets ofan SFP cage).

In an exemplary implementation, LC connectors 104 are Corning Opticamfield terminate-able LC connectors. In other exemplary implementations,LC connectors 104 may be other types of field terminate-able connectors(e.g., from other vendors) or factory-terminated LC connectors.

In an exemplary embodiment, base 101 and cover 102 may be produced via amolding process and may be made of plastic.

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating an expanded view of LCconnector assembly 100 with cover 102 removed. FIG. 1B illustrates thepositioning of fibers 110 and wires 111 (e.g., copper electrical wires)of an unsheathed portion of the hybrid fiber/wire cable within LCconnector assembly 100 (it will be appreciated that the sheathed portionof the hybrid fiber/wire cable is not depicted, which extends out of theneck of the LC connector assembly, is not depicted). Fibers 110 areinserted into LC connectors 104, and the LC connector assembly 100includes support structures 120 for supporting and holding the LCconnectors 104 in place. Wires 111 are inserted into power sockets 112.

In this example, support structures 120 of base 101 have tabs such thatLC connectors 104 may be snapped into place and securely held inposition relative to one another such that the protruding portions of LCconnectors 104 are able to successfully interface with dual LC connectorsockets of an SFP cage. Base 101 may further include holding structures,such as grooves, for routing fibers 110 and wires 111 through the LCconnector assembly 100.

In one example, to terminate a hybrid fiber/wire cable using LCconnector assembly 100, an end of the hybrid fiber/wire cable isstripped of its outside sheath to expose individual fibers 110 and wires111. The individual fibers 110 and wires 111 are also stripped at theends to expose the fibers 110 and wires 111. The exposed wires 111 areinserted into power sockets 112 and the exposed fiber is terminated inLC connectors 104. LC connectors 104 are then placed into LC connectorassembly 100 into appropriate positions dictated by the supportstructures 120, and the power sockets 112 are disposed in appropriatepositions dictated by the base 101. The corresponding fibers 110 andwires 111 are routed within the LC connector assembly 100 alongrespective pathways or pairs of pathways (which may be accomplished, forexample, by placing wires 111 in corresponding grooves formed in base101), while an sheathed portion of the hybrid fiber/wire cable is runthrough the neck 103 of LC connector assembly 100. In this example,wires 111 are routed on a pair of pathways along the outside of base 101while fibers 110 are routed on a pair of pathways closer to the centerof base 101. The cover 102 may be clipped or snapped onto base 101 tosecure the fibers 110 and wires 111 into place, and the cover 102 mayclamp onto an outer sheath of the hybrid fiber/wire cable at the neck103 to provide a degree of strain relief to the fibers 110 and wires 111within LC connector assembly 100. In a further exemplary embodiment,there may be additional structures (not depicted) on the underside ofthe cover 102 to augment the holding of the components within the LCconnector assembly 100 in place.

Support structures 120 may also provide some degree of strain relief,and additional strain relief may be incorporated as well.

It will be appreciated that the length of the stripped off portions ofthe hybrid fiber/wire cable, the fibers and the wires may vary based ona number of factors, including the nature of the connector (e.g., LC,SC), the size of the connector, etc.

FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary environment inwhich LC connector assembly 100 is depicted with a device 150 to whichLC connector assembly 100 may be connected. Device 150 includes aprinted circuit board (PCB) 151. An SFP cage 160 on PCB 151 having adual SFP socket 161 is configured to interface with LC connectors 104 toprovide data communications, while contact blades 170 located in contactblade housings 171 on PCB 151 are configured to interface with powersockets 112 to provide power transmission. The contact blades 170 (whichare male electrical connectors mounted on the PCB 151), may be connectedto the rest of device 150 through electrically conductive traces on thePCB 151.

The SFP cage 160 and the contact blades 170 may be positioned such thatthe contact blades 170 interface with power sockets 112 and the dual SFPsocket 161 interfaces with LC connectors 104 simultaneously (or nearsimultaneously) during connection of LC connector assembly 100 to device150. In an exemplary embodiment, by using a rigid or semi-rigidrelationship between the fiber connectors (e.g., LC connectors 104 andSFP cage 160) and the electrical connections (e.g., power sockets 112and contact blades 170), both the data and power connections may be madeat the same time during the mating process and released at the same timeduring the de-mate process. For example, because the SFP socket 161 andthe contact blade housings 171 may be misaligned with respect to eachother on the PCB 151, and because the fit of the LC connectors 104 withrespect to the SFP socket 161 is a very precise fit (e.g., approximately1 um tolerance), some flexibility may be provided for the LC connectors104 with respect to each other, and the SFP cage 160 may have a bevel ona sleeve of the ferrule inputs to guide the LC connectors 104 intoplace. In another exemplary embodiment, a mechanical delay betweencompleting the fiber connection and completing the wire connection maybe achieved by positioning the components so as to cause the respectiveconnections to be made one before the other or one after the other.

In the exemplary embodiment of the LC connector assembly depicted inFIGS. 1A-1C, the electrical connection for power transmission of LCconnector assembly 100 are female. In the device to which the LCconnector assembly is attached, there exists a corresponding SFP (orSFP+ or QSFP) car SFF module, with the LC connectors in the LC connectorassembly being configured to be of the same dimensions as that requiredby the SFP or SFF module. Further, because of the planar nature of theelectrical circuit boards, positive and negative (or ground) electricalconnectors are placed on either side of the SFP module (and in thiscase, the connector assembly, which is providing the power, has femaleelectrical connections and the circuit board, which is receiving thepower, has male electrical connections).

It will be appreciated that although the contact blades 170 and powersockets 112 in this example are illustrated with respect to arectangular blade type configuration, other configurations of theelectrical connection for power transmission may be used in otherexemplary embodiments. Additionally, it will be appreciated thatalthough the contact blades 170 and power sockets 112 in this exampleare illustrated as being disposed on either side of LC connectors 104and SFP cage 160, other configurations, such as having both electricalconnections on one side of the SR cage, or above or below the SFP cage,may be used in other exemplary embodiments.

In the foregoing discussion of FIGS. 1A-1C, base 101 and LC connectors104 are separate components that are snapped or otherwise affixedtogether. In another exemplary embodiment, the base of the LC connectorassembly and the LC connectors may be integrally formed as a singlecomponent from a single plastic mold. In this exemplary embodiment, theferrule, fiber stub and v-groove components of an LC connector 104 maybe placed as inserts in the base of the LC connector assembly havingintegrated LC connectors.

FIGS. 2A-2B are schematic diagrams illustrating an exemplaryLC-compatible connector assembly 200 utilizing integrated LC-compatibleconnectors. As shown in FIG. 2A, connector assembly 200 is similar to LCconnector assembly 100 in that it is compatible with an SFP cage havinga dual SFP socket configured to interface with two LC connectors, butconnector assembly 200 does not include discrete LC connectors. Rather,connector assembly 200 includes fibers 210 which include strippedportions disposed in respective protrusions 202 coming out of base 201.It will be appreciated that since connector assembly 200 does notutilize discrete LC connectors, it may be produced at a lower costrelative to connector assembly 100.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating an expanded view ofconnector assembly 200 with only a portion of cover 203 shown. Theconnector assembly 200 includes fibers 210 and wires 211 of a hybridfiber/wire cable, as well as power sockets 212. The wires 211 arelocated in grooves in base 201 to the outside of fibers 210, which aredisposed in the center of connector assembly 210. The wires 211 andfibers 210 are routed towards the neck of connector assembly 200 wherethe hybrid fiber/wire cable is sheathed 213. Cover 203, which is notcompletely shown, may be clipped to base 201 to secure the wires 211 andfibers 210 into place. A strain relief (not depicted) may also beprovided in the neck of connector assembly 200 to protect the fibers 210and wires 211 of the hybrid fiber/wire cable.

FIG. 2A also depicts protrusions 202 coming out of base 201, as well asfiber clamps 220, both in an unclamped position (left side) and aclamped position (right side). FIG. 2B is a schematic diagramillustrating the fiber clamps 220 and the protrusions 202 in moredetail, as well as the configuration of the fibers 210 on theprotrusions 202. As shown in FIG. 2B, the fibers 210 are cleaved at anappropriate length such that an end of the bare portion of fiber 210matches up with an end of protrusion 202. Further, the connectorassembly 200 is split in such a way to allow for the fibers 210 withbare portions to be inserted and held in a plastic two-piece ferrule(formed by the combination of a clamp 220 and a protrusion 202) that iscompatible with SFP type modules—i.e., respective fiber clamps 220 areclamped down on protrusions 202 to securely hold the fibers 210 intoplace, and the clamped structure provides an SFP-compatible interface.The fiber clamps 220 may be part of cover 203 or may be standalonecomponents.

The right side of FIG. 2B shows a cleaved fiber 210 with a bare portiondisposed in a protrusion 202. The fiber 210 is cleaved by standardmethods, and the fiber 210 is inserted at and/or adjusted to be in aproper position such that the bare portion reaches the end of theprotrusion 202. In an exemplary implementation, the end of the fiberneeds to be placed within about 1 mm of the end of the ferrule (+/−0.5mm). This may be accomplished, for example, by creating a fixture forassembling the connector that stops the fiber at the appropriatelocation, or by building a stop into the connector, or by relying on thefiber to touch the plastic lens of the SFP itself. This allows theposition of the end of the fiber to be controlled in the direction alongthe fiber. The left side of FIG. 2B shows a fiber clamp 220 clamped ontoa protrusion 202 such that a fiber 210 is securely held in place.

In a standard field-terminated connector, such as the LC connectors 104used in connector assembly 100 depicted in FIGS. 1A-1C, there is a shortpiece of glass fiber (i.e., a “stub”), that is polished at the connectorface and then cleaved inside the connector in a precision plastic vgroove. A small amount of index matching gel is placed between the fiberstub in the connector and a fiber input into the connector to reduceloss and minimize reflections. In connector assembly 200 depicted inFIGS. 2A-2B, on the other hand, a bare portion of fiber is run to theoutput end of the fiber ferrule of the connector assembly, which avoidsthe use of the short, polished fiber stub. Thus, connector assembly 200is particularly suitable for applications using fiber-to-air interfaces(such as encountered when connecting to a SFP type transceiver pair orequivalent device), since fiber-to-air interfaces are not as sensitiveto the flatness or angle of the fiber end. Connector assembly 200 mayalso be used for fiber-to-fiber interfaces so long as the fiber iscleaved with sufficient flatness and a small cleave angle.

In a further embodiment, a combination of the structures shown in FIGS.1A-1C and 2A-2B may be utilized. Specifically, this further embodimentprovides a field-terminated LC connector assembly having a ceramicferrule, a fiber stub, and a fiber-to-fiber connecting v-groove builtinto the fiber/wire connector format.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagrams illustrating another exemplary LCconnector assembly 300 a utilizing discrete LC connectors (cover notshown). LC connector assembly 300 a is similar to the LC connectorassembly 100 depicted in FIGS. 1A-1C in that it also includes discreteLC connectors 104, base 101, support structures 120, fibers 110 from ahybrid cable, wires (not depicted) from a hybrid cable, and powersockets 112. LC connector assembly 300 a further illustrates thesecomponents arranged in a different configuration, and additionallyillustrates bent metal pieces 301 a (a metal element having a beveledportion) disposed in each of the power sockets 112 for making aconnection between an external device and the wires from the hybridcable. The bent metal pieces 301 a are flexible such that maleconnectors from an external device that are inserted into the powersockets 112 make contact with the bent metal pieces and cause the bentmetal pieces to bend upwards and/or to the side.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating another exemplaryLC-compatible connector assembly utilizing integrated LC-compatibleconnectors. LC connector assembly 300 b is similar to the LC connectorassembly 200 depicted in FIGS. 2A-2B in that it also includes base 101,fibers 110 (partially depicted) from a hybrid cable, wires (notdepicted) from a hybrid cable, and power sockets 112. Further, like theLC connector assembly 300 a of FIG. 3A, LC-compatible connector assembly301 b also includes bent metal pieces 301 b disposed in each of thepower sockets 112 for making a connection between an external device andthe wires from the hybrid cable.

Additionally, the LC-compatible connector assembly 301 b of FIG. 3B hasa one-piece ferrule integrated into base 101 as LC-compatibleprotrusions 302 with a v-groove and fiber stub included, such thatstripped portions of fibers 110 may be inserted into the LC-compatibleprotrusions 302.

FIGS. 4A-4D are schematic diagrams illustrating an exemplary SCconnector assembly 400. The SC connector assembly 400 utilizes astandard SC connector 404 for terminating a fiber of a hybrid fiber/wirecable and power sockets 412 for terminating wires of a hybrid fiber/wirecable. In this example, connector assembly 400 includes a single SC typeconnector 404 with wire connections for power transmission. This singleSC connector type arrangement is typically found in Passive Optical LAN(POL) or Passive Optical Network (PON) type architectures wherecommunications in both directions are accommodated on a single fiber byway of two wavelength multiplexing (e.g., 1310 nm and 1550 nm).

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams illustrating SC connectorassembly 400 with cover 402 in an assembled position relative to base401, with latch 405 protruding from the cover 402 in a latched positionin FIG. 4A and an unlatched position in FIG. 4B. The latch 405 being inthe unlatched position depicted in FIG. 4B facilitates release of SCconnector assembly 400 from an SC receptacle such as a single SC-basedpassive optical network (PON) module (not shown in FIG. 4A), to allowfor removal of the SC connector assembly 400 from the correspondingreceptacle. In FIG. 4A, the latch 405 being in the latched positionfacilitates the SC connector assembly being securely attached to acorresponding SC receptacle. In the latched position, a fiber carrierportion of the SC connector 404 is flush with a body of the SC connector404, while in the unlatched position, the body of the SC connector 404is retracted relative to the front of the fiber carrier portion of theSC connector 404.

FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram illustrating an expanded view of SCconnector assembly 400. In this example, the cover 402 is raised to showhow the SC connector 404 fits within SC connector assembly 400. Supportstructures 420 that are built into or attached to base 401 areconfigured to securely hold the SC connector 404 in place, and the latch405 is part of an actuator element 421 that interfaces with acorresponding latching element of the SC connector 404 such thatactuating the latch 405 causes a corresponding latch of the SC connector404 to be actuated. Power sockets 412 are provided in the base 401 oneither side of the connector assembly, and wires are routed towards theneck of the SC connector assembly 400 through respective pathways (e.g.,grooves) along the outside of the base 401, whereas fiber from the SCconnector 404 is routed towards the neck of the SC connector assembly400 through respective pathways as well (not shown). In an example, thefiber of the hybrid fiber/wire cable is terminated into the SC connector404 after cleaving the fiber to an appropriate length, and the wires 411and terminated into power sockets 412 as well. A strain relief (notshown) may further be placed over the ferrule end of SC connectorassembly 400 to secure the hybrid fiber/wire cable in place.

FIG. 4D is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary environment inwhich SC connector assembly 400 is depicted being connected to a device450. Device 450 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 451. An SFP cage460 on PCB 451 having a PON type SFP socket for a single SC connector461 is configured to interface with SC connector 404 of the connectorassembly 400 to provide data communications, while contact bladesdisposed in contact blade housings 471 on PCB 451 are configured tointerface with power sockets of the connector assembly 400 to providepower transmission. The contact blades (which, for example, may be maleelectrical connectors mounted on the PCB 451), may be connected to therest of device 450 through electrically conductive traces on the PCB451.

In further exemplary embodiments, parts or all of the discrete SCconnector 404 may be replaced by integrating such parts into base 401.For example, similar to how FIGS. 2A-2B and FIG. 3B depict exemplaryembodiments where the discrete LC connectors 104 from FIGS. 1A-1C arereplaced with integrated components of the housing, the SC connectorassembly 400 may also be modified to allow a portion of bare fiber to berun through such that the SC connector assembly 400 is still able tointerface with SC-compatible SFP modules while the polished fiber stubused in standard discrete SC connectors is not used.

It will be appreciated that all of the foregoing embodiments areexemplary, and that the features thereof may be used in a variety ofdifferent embodiments relating to LC-compatible interfaces,SC-compatible interfaces, as well as interfaces involving other types ofconnectors. For example, other standard types of fiber connectorsinclude ST, FC, MTRJ, MTO, and Diamond connectors, and suitableconnector assemblies may be provided for those connector types based onthe principles discussed herein. There may also be further types ofhybrid optical and electrical cable connections that do not adhere toany established standard where these principles may be applicable.

It will further be appreciated that the arrangement of components withina connector assembly is not limited to the exemplary embodimentsdiscussed herein, and in other embodiments may be arranged in differentways. For example, the fiber connectors need not be side by side, and inother examples may be positioned one above the other, or in otherconfigurations, depending on the needs of the application.

Additionally, the mechanical relationships between the optical fiber andthe electrical wires may be arranged in various manners. In one example,the arrangement of the components provides for electrical shieldingaround the SFP module.

It will be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments discussed hereinmay be connected to a variety of devices so long as the devices areprovided with appropriate sockets/connectors for interfacing with theconnector assembly. In one example, a connector assembly may be pluggedinto an interface device between a hybrid fiber/wire cable and a clientdevice. In another example, the connector assembly may be plugged into abox embedded in a wall, the box being adapted to receive the connectorassembly. The box may also be connected to a wall plate attached a wall.The box may farther include a media converter, and the wall plate mayinclude a standard opening to receive a Category (e.g., Cat 5, 6, 7etc.) cable. In yet another example, the wall plate to which the box andconnector assembly are attached may include a standard opening toreceive USB Type-C cable.

It will be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments discussed hereinmay be applied with respect to either multimode or single mode opticalfibers.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” andsimilar referents in the context of describing the invention (especiallyin the context of the following claims) are to be construed to coverboth the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein orclearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one”followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of Aand B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listeditems (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (Aand B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventionand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Theinventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations asappropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, thisinvention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A connector assembly for a hybrid cable,the connector assembly comprising: a housing, comprising a base; atleast one discrete LC or SC connector mounted in the base, configured toreceive at least one fiber from the hybrid cable, wherein the at leastone discrete LC or SC connector is configured to provide for fieldtermination of the at least one fiber at the at least one discrete LC orSC connector; and two electrical interfaces, wherein each electricalinterface is configured to receive a respective wire from the hybridcable, and wherein the two electrical interfaces are disposed onopposite sides of the at least one discrete LC or SC connector.
 2. Theconnector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least onediscrete LC or SC connector comprises two discrete LC connectors, eachLC connector being configured to receive one fiber from the hybridcable.
 3. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the atleast one discrete LC or SC connector comprises a discrete SC connector,the discrete SC connector being configured to receive the at least onefiber from the hybrid cable.
 4. The connector assembly according toclaim 3, further comprising: a latch for actuating the discrete SCconnector between a first configuration and a second configuration. 5.The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least onediscrete LC or SC connector is mounted in the base via one or moresupport structures.
 6. The connector assembly according to claim 1,wherein each electrical interface includes a power socket.
 7. Theconnector assembly according to claim 6, wherein each electricalinterface further includes a respective bent metal piece disposed in therespective power socket.
 8. The connector assembly according to claim 1,wherein the housing further comprises a cover configured to snap ontothe base.
 9. The connector assembly according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a strain relief rubber boot through which a sheathed portionof the hybrid cable is run.
 10. The connector assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the at least one discrete LC or SC connector iscompatible with a Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) interface.
 11. Aconnector assembly for a hybrid cable, comprising: a housing adapted toaccept the hybrid cable, the housing comprising multiple pathways;wherein the multiple pathways include: a first pathway configured toreceive at least one fiber of the hybrid cable, wherein the firstpathway comprises at least one discrete LC or SC connector configured toprovide for field termination of the at least one fiber at the at leastone discrete LC or SC connector; and a second pathway configured toreceive at least one wire of the hybrid cable, wherein the secondpathway comprises two electrical interfaces, wherein each electricalinterface is configured to receive a respective wire from the hybridcable, and wherein the two electrical interfaces are disposed onopposite sides of the at least one discrete LC or SC connector.
 12. Theconnector assembly according to claim 11, wherein the at least onediscrete LC or SC connector is compatible with a Small Form-factorPluggable (SFP) interface.
 13. A connector assembly for a hybrid cable,the connector assembly comprising: a housing, comprising a base; atleast one discrete LC or SC connector mounted in the base, configured toreceive at least one fiber from the hybrid cable, wherein the at leastone discrete LC or SC connector is compatible with a Small Form-factorPluggable (SFP) interface; and two electrical interfaces, wherein eachelectrical interface is configured to receive a respective wire from thehybrid cable, and wherein the two electrical interfaces are disposed onopposite sides of the at least one discrete LC or SC connector.